The Heart of Business

In this episode, we sit down with Dan Hoffman—founder, CEO, and president of Circl.es—to unpack the surprising truth behind real leadership growth: it happens in small circles, not big rooms. Dan traces his path from building M5 Networks and navigating a tough public-company chapter, to a life-changing sabbatical in Barcelona that reframed how he thinks about success.

He introduces a simple but powerful idea: small, curated peer for...

What if the cure for founder loneliness isn’t more hustle, but better peers and a new way to mentor? Brad Feld joins us to map the journey from scrappy software shop to mentor-driven ecosystems, sharing how a bootstrapped mindset, structured forums, and a “give first” philosophy can reshape an entire career. You’ll hear about the origin of “We Suck Less,” why owning the full customer experience created trust, and how one room of ca...

Danielle Mulvey's entrepreneurial journey begins in Nashville, where early roots shaped her Maverick mindset. From founding her first agency to taking risks that most would shy away from, she carved her own path with bold decisions and relentless drive. That spirit would ultimately fuel her transition from scrappy beginnings to leading multiple companies valued at over $50 million—all while working just ten hours a week.

A defi...

What if the soft stuff is actually the hardest—and most valuable—work leaders do? We sit down with Stephanie Ford, director at Warren Whitney and IFO-certified facilitator, to explore how a career built on banking rigor, board governance, and deep facilitation turns messy conversations into decisive progress. Stephanie shares how early years in commercial banking taught her to see the whole system—operations, financials, risk, and ...

Dusty Holcomb’s story begins on a farm, where the simple truth that “cows need milking 365 days a year” instilled an unshakable work ethic. Those early lessons in responsibility and persistence carried into his entrepreneurial ventures as a child—creating a town newspaper at eight and running a landscaping business by eleven. These formative experiences shaped a lifelong commitment to connecting hard work with meaningful purpose.

Af...

In this episode, Mike Michalowicz opens up about his entrepreneurial highs, devastating lows, and the creation of the Profit First system that has transformed over a million businesses worldwide. From launching his first company in 1996 and joining EO Forum — where he discovered the unmatched value of honest peer connection — to losing everything in 2008, Mike shares the raw lessons that reshaped his outlook on business and life.

De...

In this episode, Janet Carlson—CEO and Creative Director of 1.11 Group—takes us on a journey through three decades of fearless entrepreneurship. From learning negotiation skills at just 9 years old to building the first pharmaceutical website without any prior experience, Janet’s story is a testament to grit, innovation, and the power of reinvention.

She opens up about losing 98% of her business after 9/11 and rebuilding with the he...

Andro Donovan shares her remarkable path from motivating disadvantaged youth in London to transforming organizational cultures worldwide. Her passionate approach to helping leaders find their true essence rather than chasing external symbols of success creates a compelling framework for anyone feeling stuck or unfulfilled despite outward achievements.

The conversation reveals powerful concepts like distinguishing between &...

In this episode, entrepreneur and founder Chuck Hall takes us on a powerful journey—starting with his earliest days mowing lawns and delivering newspapers, to building a national construction company that now operates across 14 states and specializes in senior living facilities.

After rising through the ranks at top construction firms, Chuck's trajectory took a dramatic turn when he was fired in 1998. But instead of spiraling, ...

In this powerful episode, Dan Heuertz takes us on a journey through decades of entrepreneurial highs and lows—from launching his first bar in college to building and exiting businesses in the restaurant and hotel industries. Along the way, he shares the critical lessons that shaped him, including how a paper route taught him the power of consistency and how intuition helped him navigate shifting market demands.

A 25-year member of E...

Leah Litman, the youngest certified facilitator with the International Facilitators Organization (IFO), is on a mission to transform the college experience through structured peer forums. In this thought-provoking conversation with host Mo Fatalbab, Leah reveals how her psychology background at Tulane University intersects perfectly with her passion for creating authentic connection among students.

The digital generation f...

Yuval Yeret has been "tweaking systems" his entire life. From modifying computer operating systems as a teenager to optimizing organizational structures as a leadership coach, his journey reveals the powerful parallels between technological and human systems.

In this deeply insightful conversation, Yuval shares how his early exposure to psychology (through typing his mother's academic papers) subtly prepared...

Unlock the transformative power of peer groups in leadership development with Leo Bottary in our latest episode. Explore how collaborative environments foster growth, curiosity, and psychological safety, providing leaders with the support they crave amidst today’s fast-paced challenges. Leo shares his journey into peer facilitation, highlighting the invaluable lessons he learned at Seton Hall University. 

Throughout the co...

Meet David Duerr, a true testament to the entrepreneurial spirit, who joins us to unravel his story of grit and ambition. From his early days in Buffalo, New York, to pioneering his own company in the contract furnishings industry, David's journey is filled with lessons on the audacity it takes to rise through the ranks and ultimately sell a successful business to a major player like Boise Cascade Office Products. Join us as D...

Ahad Ghadimi, the mastermind behind Forums at Work, joins us to share his remarkable journey from Toronto's vibrant entrepreneurial scene to the international stage. Listen as Ahad recounts growing up in a family-owned restaurant and cafe chain, where his entrepreneurial spirit was sparked early on. From selling pastries in school to crafting DOS programs, each venture was a stepping stone to a bigger vision. 

As we e...

What if leadership wasn't about wielding authority but about fostering collaboration? Join us as Peter Laughter, a dynamic serial entrepreneur, takes us on an inspiring journey from his roots in the vibrant Lower East Side of Manhattan to becoming a pioneer in transformative leadership. Peter's unexpected shift from social work to stepping into his mother's struggling staffing business unveiled his passion for compet...

What if embracing vulnerability could transform you into a stronger leader? In this episode, join me for a heartfelt conversation with Doretha Bailey, Strategic Advisor to Executives & Board of Directors | Military Veteran | Keynote Speaker | Fixer - Organizational Development Expert, as she shares her extraordinary journey from military service to HR leadership. Doretha’s story is not just one of professional evolution but als...

Discover the remarkable journey of Andrew Sherman, a founding member of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), and a leading voice in the world of entrepreneurship. Andrew, whose career straddles both law and business, brings us a wealth of insights from EO's early days and its growth into a global network supporting entrepreneurs. From the pivotal roles of influencers like Vern Harnish and Michael Dell to the unexpected emergen...

Neil Balter, the ingenious mind behind California Closets and a pioneering force of the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), shares his extraordinary journey with us. Imagine a small, passionate group morphing into a global community with over 18,000 entrepreneurs—Neil recounts these early days with vivid anecdotes. Discover how connections formed in those nascent meetings fueled not just his career but a worldwide network of support a...